I plan to take photos of metal badges that have shiny, metallic surfaces. Surfaces will also be embossed so there could be lots of reflection. I'm using a D70 and I don't have lighting equipment. I'll be using a tripod and maybe use a dark background. After photographing, I plan to use photoshop to make an image of the badge only so the photo can be used on other documents with different color backgrounds. All suggestions welcome.

Just start taking pictures. It's digital so you can check results out ASAP. Here is how I do it: hook up the camera to a nearby TV. Look at the TV to see the results as soon as you take the pictures. Write down each step (called documenting) so you can recreate the one that works best.

Digital makes it easy/

Try it next time you try out something hard, say fireworks, just take it, review it, and change settings.